Before long, the lonely days at Sandy Creek end, and Ben embarks upon his decline into bushranging. However, it is undoubtedly Bridget's departure and the collapse of his marriage that the path Ben Hall begins towards bushranging that can be gleaned from piecing together information from a number of historical sources and personal memoirs of those who had encountered or knew him intimately. Therefore, by the beginning of 1862, Ben commenced roaming the districts predominantly in the company of John O’Meally, Daniel Charters, John Gilbert and others of a less reputable character. Whereby, in their company Hall would be revealed time and again attending local shanties and public houses in the vicinity of Forbes, Lambing Flat, the Pinnacle and